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Hey guys, quick question here, what do you guys think of Eric Wright? I know he had an atrocious season, but wasn't he a good CB before? What happened?

GOOSEMAHN!!! GTFO YOU LOST THE SUPERBOWL!!! LOL!!!

Just Kidding. I like you. Even though you like the Steelers.

But to answer your question, I have no idea what happened to Eric Wright. He showed potential in '08 and '09 and when handed the starting job this year, he looked completely lost. He has the talent, that's for sure, but maybe there was something wrong with him mentally and maybe a change of scenery will be good for him. If anything, I would guess that it was a lack of confidence after he was destroyed by Anquan Boldin.

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Eric Wright totally lost his confidence, plays soft coverage (doesn't press the WR off the line), and seems to hate contact. While Wright was getting torched by Boldin on one of the TD's, he was chasing Boldin down the middle of the field holding out both arms in desperation trying to slow him down. I don't think he even touched Boldin, and that's when I gave him the nickname 'Tickles', because it looked a bit like he was trying to tickle Boldin.

The only thing I can say in his defense is Rob Ryan's defensive scheme left CB's on an island too often, with no safety help. His first couple of years in Cleveland he played better, but never played tight coverage. He's no Joe Haden in coverage, and will never be a great tackler, but in a more conventional system he might play decently for a team. It's very unlikely to be in Cleveland. Last season I think he was just so afraid of giving up the big play when he didn't have a safety over the top, that his confidence was broken after getting torched.

Hopefully for Wright's sake he can recover from his very poor season.

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Heckert hopes to keep Jackson, who’s expected to be a restricted free agent, depending on the collective bargaining agreement. Heckert said linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, who’s missed most of the last two seasons with a pair of torn pectoral muscles, is better-suited for the 4-3. Heckert sounded as if he’d tender Jackson, as well as other restricted free agents, in an effort to retain them.

Fujita can fit any system and he's predominately been a SLB in a 4-3. They liked Gocong's play in the middle last year and think he could play any of the LB spots. Gocong was an OLB in Philly's 4-3 scheme. Tom thinks the LB corps is good and said he viewing the DL the most and says we need younger players on the DL. Says Rubin will be a good fit in a 4-3.

Staying on defense, 4-3 front has officially been confirmed (although everyone already knew). Haden is pleased we retained Jerome Henderson as DB coach and said that he, T.J. and Sheldon all had a great relationship with him. Heckert said Sheldon will probably end his career as a safety but that isn't anytime soon. Haden has been in talks with the staff and is trying to learn as much of the playbook as he can before a lockout will prevent him from doing so.

Heckert said he would have no problem drafting a cornerback at No. 6, likely LSU’s Patrick Peterson, even though he took Joe Haden at No. 7 last year. Heckert said a team can’t have enough good cornerbacks.

Offensively, Colt will be the man going into next season. They want to keep Jake along as a mentor to Colt. The staff would like to retain Wallace as a backup but Wallace wants a shot to start in the NFL.

"Oh, yeah, we will draft a quarterback. You can almost count on it," Holmgren said. "I believe in the young guy we have," he said. "I'm pretty sure we'll take one later in the draft."

Heckert said he wouldn’t hesitate to draft a quarterback with the sixth pick in the draft - “two great quarterbacks are not a bad thing” - but probably won’t given the other quality players available at the top of the draft. The Browns believe they saw enough in McCoy’s eight starts as a rookie to move forward with him as the starter.

Hardesty and Hillis should be sharing the workload which should help our running game a lot. Hillis really slowed down at the end of last year and with a two back system of similar players should keep both fresh. WCO will require the backs to catch a lot of passes and Hardesty wasn't asked to do that while at Tennessee the staff feels like he wont have any problems.

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Eric Wright made the right choice. It was possible that the new defense might suit him better but his best bet is to have a comeback season in DEt, then try to cash in.

Mitchell was a necessary resign. Who knows where he's at now but I thought he looked damn good last pre season in Minnesota. Cullen Jenkins is still out there. This guy looked like he was on the verge of a huge breakout when he earned a start in the Packers 43 at DE but got injured. He was still a difference maker in their 34 but I'd like to see if he still has big time ability at DE in an even front.

Taylor's hold up is undoubtedly concerning health issues -feet and weight-I'm guessing the club is trying to protect itself to a degree.

I've liked Usama Young since he was a prospect-I think he'll do fine as a fill in starter. A little surprised I haven't heard anything concerning Donte Whitner though.

Carlos Rogers would be a good signing. He's incredibly inconsistent but is also one of the most intimidating hitters in the league from the CB position.

I'll be shocked if Little does not clearly establish himself as the best WR by the start of the season.

Signing of Jarrett Brown went virtually unnoticed but I was pushing for this guy to be drafted instead of Colt. Really interested to see how he performs this camp. Signing Terrell Pryor would be intriguing but I think this guy needs to get out of the state of Ohio. From everything I've read and seen, none of Colt's teammates are ready to go out on a limb and declare that Colt will be a good starting QB for this team. I think that's really the whole organization's stance on him.

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Signing of Jarrett Brown went virtually unnoticed but I was pushing for this guy to be drafted instead of Colt. Really interested to see how he performs this camp. Signing Terrell Pryor would be intriguing but I think this guy needs to get out of the state of Ohio. From everything I've read and seen, none of Colt's teammates are ready to go out on a limb and declare that Colt will be a good starting QB for this team. I think that's really the whole organization's stance on him.

Originally posted by Evan Moore

"I think he's himself now," Moore said. "I think Colt is a natural-born leader. When he first got here, in hindsight I realized he was definitely uncomfortable not being the leader and not being able to voice how he feels about things and push guys in a certain direction.
"Now you can tell it's not forced. He organized our offseason workouts. He basically ran our workouts. That's what you want your quarterback to do. I think he's ready go."

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Doesn't matter, his play will do the talking this season and the Colt debate will end, assuming he even makes it a full season. Go ahead and call me pessimistic, I really don't think he's going to cut it in the AFC north.

Have it your way, with BK (BoneKrusher)

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Originally Posted by Evan Moore
"I think he's himself now," Moore said. "I think Colt is a natural-born leader. When he first got here, in hindsight I realized he was definitely uncomfortable not being the leader and not being able to voice how he feels about things and push guys in a certain direction.
"Now you can tell it's not forced. He organized our offseason workouts. He basically ran our workouts. That's what you want your quarterback to do. I think he's ready go."

I don't mean to sound like a pessimist either but that's far from endorsing him as a solid starting QB.

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I like what Heckert has done with the team so far. Last year the rebuilding method wasn't so clear since we kept Mangini and Mangini kept all his veteran players and his system. We were one of the oldest rosters in the league last year and were supposed to be rebuilding. This year we get rid of these veteran players:

Now some of those guys are still young and some of those guys are quite good, but their future didn't fit with the Browns' future. We are now a very young team that has been stripped bare and is being replenished with the bevvy of draft picks the team has had in the past 2 drafts. Next year we will have a ton of picks again including two 1st rounders and two 4th rounders as well I believe, not to mention a few compensatory picks that we are bound to add after losing a bunch of quality free agents this year (notably Roth, Elam, Wright, Vickers, and Smith). We are probably two drafts away from having a very good looking young roster and people will start realizing how much better it is to build through the draft in the mold of Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and San Diego - 4 teams who are good year in and year out and are almost exclusively built with draft picks.

This is all of our young talent, and it will look a lot better after next April (probable long term solutions bolded):

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Well aren't you the optimist Keylime. But we're chalk fill of unproven players. On offense we have maby four proven guys-Thomas-Mack-Steinbach-Watson. Leaving out Hillis because, although he carried the team last season, he took a serious pounding and at this point it's just one good year. With his style it would be surprising if he can actually improve and continue to sustain all the punishment(plus Madden cover). And leaving out Cribbs because it's unclear what role he'll take in the new offense. A bit better on defense because of the LBs(although slow) and our two promising DBs but the fact that almost half the starting D will be rookies and first time starters is just scary.

Through first week of camp:

James Walker ESPN blog:

Taylor has been the most impressive of the group. He arrived in camp four days late because of a contract dispute. But Taylor made his presence felt later in the week with his size, strength and ability to get up field. He could be a force next to fellow defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin.

Because veteran free agents were unable to practice until Thursday, rookie fifth-round pick Buster Skrine received a lot of reps as the nickel corner this week. Skrine displayed good speed and playmaking ability. He jumped a route in team drills Tuesday and got a pick-six off McCoy, his best play of the week.

Skrine is competitive and looks like a mini-Joe Haden. He probably will make the team as a late-round pick.

Backup offensive tackle Brandon Braxton is showing flashes. He has good size and gets good leverage and position in pass protection. Braxton is pushing veteran Tony Pashos, the projected starter, through the first week of camp.

Greg Little. His drops are a concern. He has good physical tools. But by my count, Little dropped at least five passes in practice this week. He had a reputation in college for drops. It's too early to say if it's lack of concentration or bad hands. Perhaps rust also is a factor. Little was suspended at the University of North Carolina all of last season.

However, he showed up in front of the fans at Sat practice and looked like a #1 WR. By accounts he's showed marked improvement in his first week, sooo..

The Browns are a slow football team. Cleveland has decent size but definitely not enough blazers and game-changing athletes. I thought the Browns would be more aggressive in free agency to close the talent gap with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. But that wasn't the case. Keep an eye on team speed during the regular season. I think it will be an issue.

I thought they might bring in a blazer 3rd down RB to compensate for this instead of B.Jackson. I remember seeing something that they were all set in taking Vereen if he was there, instead of Little, anyone also hear that? The only thing to the speed issue is that's where Cribbs(faster than he's given credit for) or Demtrius Williams might find a role. And on defense, why Skrine might get on the field as the nickel.

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I never said we were good, just young :). I think we're gonna struggle a lot this year because of our lack of depth at every position on defense (especially in the front seven where you have the 7 starters and maybe 1 or 2 decent backups and then a bunch of street free agents after that). I'm very excited about the direction the management is taking though and that we are actually building through the draft like San Diego, Pittsburgh, Indy, Green Bay, etc. and not just saying we're gonna build through the draft and then go and sign a bunch of free agents like Savage and Mangini did. I think after the 2012 draft we'll look a whole lot better than we do right now. Lots of unproven talent there this year. Hopefully most of those draft picks pan out. It's looking good for Haden, Ward, and Lauvao so far. We'll find out if McCoy can be the franchise QB after this year. The key for Hardesty, Taylor, Little, and Sheard this year is to stay healthy, because the talent is there and those guys seem very coachable and like they'll pan out with experience and by staying on the field.

One thing I don't get about Little is how all the predraft reviews for him were guys raving about his great hands and how he had the best hands in the entire draft, yet he is the second coming of Quincy Morgan in camp so far. I know you can have great hands and drop a lot of passes still, Jerry Rice did as a rookie, it could be concentration not his hands.

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I've read it's like he's looking to run and not focusing on the catch. Which, if true, makes me think he's pressing, and why not? Experts dubbing him with great hands, expected to be a beast of a yac guy, the team in need of a #1, a year layoff from playing. I'd expect if your going to be good, you practice like you play but at the same time, Little strikes me as a guy who feeds off emotion, and raises his play when the lights are on.

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Article about McCoy working out with Brett Favre in Mississippi this summer to learn the west coast offense. The only thing that possibly can keep this kid from succeeding in the NFL as a starting QB is his physical tools and nothing else IMO.